1
as in controversies
variance of opinion on a matter
a dispute over the proper pronunciation of "nuclear"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disagreements
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
after much dispute, the school committee decided that all backpacks would have to be stored in lockers during class hours
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in challenges
to demand proof of the truth or rightness of
a whole slew of relatives eager to dispute his claim to being the sole heir
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bickers
to express different opinions about something often angrily
hometown fans disputing with visiting fans over which had the better team
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in debates
to talk about (an issue) usually from various points of view and for the purpose of arriving at a decision or opinion
in an extended session the city council disputed the need for a new high school
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of disputes
Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
Regular clashes have long occurred on the 1,600-mile-long border over land disputes, but since the 2021 Taliban takeover, Islamabad has accused the Taliban of providing safe-haven to anti-Pakistan militants.
—Caitlin McFall, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025
The Port of Rotterdam’s labor disputes have been compounded by a wider nationwide strike for public transportation and logistics workers in neighboring Belgium, which hosts its sister gateway, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, and the Port of Zebrugge.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 15 Oct. 2025
But in December 2024, Ayala’s wife of nearly 30 years filed for divorce, and an initially amicable split turned sour amid a spate of legal disputes over his many businesses and assets, including his past catalog negotiations.
—Leila Cobo, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2025
These disputes also might relate to a pet or something to do with your health.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025
Fans can expect to see Tommie Lee, Mehgan James, and Daphnique Springs, alongside everyday litigants whose real-life disputes spark equal parts laughter and drama.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025
The state adopted a model curriculum in 2021, after years of fine-tuning amid disputes over which ethnic minority groups to teach about and criticism from Jewish advocates, who accused past versions of being antisemitic.
—Calmatters, Mercury News, 14 Oct. 2025
The film will follow Owens’ killing, and the disputes that had occurred leading up to it, and will be told through bodycam footage.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025
Stride said its students have better attendance than the children who attend in person, which the district disputes.
—Tyler Kingkade, NBC news, 14 Oct. 2025
Anybody that disputes it, even in my mentions, shut up.
—Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Another source disputes those numbers.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025
The government disputes these figures.
—Kara Fox, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025
Khudaynazar disputes the mayor’s assessment, per the lawsuit.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 17 Sep. 2025
Kessler also disputes that Polk engaged in wrongdoing.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Cincoro is labeled as being 100 percent agave, however, which the lawsuit disputes.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
Several of these schools have already had funding disputes with the administration.
—Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
Regular clashes have long occurred on the 1,600-mile-long border over land disputes, but since the 2021 Taliban takeover, Islamabad has accused the Taliban of providing safe-haven to anti-Pakistan militants.
—Caitlin McFall, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025
The Port of Rotterdam’s labor disputes have been compounded by a wider nationwide strike for public transportation and logistics workers in neighboring Belgium, which hosts its sister gateway, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, and the Port of Zebrugge.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 15 Oct. 2025
But in December 2024, Ayala’s wife of nearly 30 years filed for divorce, and an initially amicable split turned sour amid a spate of legal disputes over his many businesses and assets, including his past catalog negotiations.
—Leila Cobo, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2025
These disputes also might relate to a pet or something to do with your health.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025
Fans can expect to see Tommie Lee, Mehgan James, and Daphnique Springs, alongside everyday litigants whose real-life disputes spark equal parts laughter and drama.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025
The state adopted a model curriculum in 2021, after years of fine-tuning amid disputes over which ethnic minority groups to teach about and criticism from Jewish advocates, who accused past versions of being antisemitic.
—Calmatters, Mercury News, 14 Oct. 2025
The film will follow Owens’ killing, and the disputes that had occurred leading up to it, and will be told through bodycam footage.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
Colorado has done nothing to stop Nebraska from pursuing the purchase or seizure of the Sedgwick County land needed for the canal, Weiser said, but the state maintains that Nebraska must pursue any eminent domain claims through Colorado's systems — which Nebraska disputes.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025
Stride said its students have better attendance than the children who attend in person, which the district disputes.
—Tyler Kingkade, NBC news, 14 Oct. 2025
Anybody that disputes it, even in my mentions, shut up.
—Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Another source disputes those numbers.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025
The government disputes these figures.
—Kara Fox, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025
Khudaynazar disputes the mayor’s assessment, per the lawsuit.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 17 Sep. 2025
Kessler also disputes that Polk engaged in wrongdoing.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Cincoro is labeled as being 100 percent agave, however, which the lawsuit disputes.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disputes
Noun
-
New reports indicate Sarah Ferguson, known as Fergie, would love to distance herself from her ex-husband’s controversies.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Despite controversies, the slugger's abilities at the plate are undeniable.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
While Democrats and Republicans have deep disagreements over the risks of climate change and the role of fossil fuels in the future American energy mix, there is a political consensus that Americans can benefit from maximizing the availability of cheaper, more abundant energy.—
Alex Wang,
Twin Cities,
19 Oct. 2025
-
But the summit, and its appearance to some as a private getaway for select legislators and lobbyists, pushed nascent disagreements into public view.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This directly challenges a pervasive myth of the monolithic leader.—
Jason BARNARD,
Rolling Stone,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Irvine now challenges herself with small print, crosswords, and product labels.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The pope, played by Samora la Perdida, is a mincing oaf who bickers with Galas about the value of translating Wagner.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Hashmi, who flipped a suburban Richmond seat in 2019 to become the first Muslim woman elected to the Virginia Senate, has not committed to any lieutenant governor debates this cycle.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Oct. 2025
-
As her husband nears one year in his new job, Hines is nearing one year with a new life even as the country debates her spouse's controversial policy agenda including his beliefs about vaccines.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
According to him, advances in machine learning have yanked questions once trapped inside theological/philosophical disputations into corporate board packs.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
He’s also been involved in multiple public altercations and legal disputes, including a 2018 arrest over a parking spot dispute in New York City.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Many of the people devouring YoungBoy’s endless stream of new music have also been devouring news of his various altercations and legal cases.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
No one questions the investment, no one questions the way Mayer went to the [Latin] Grammys.—
Ingrid Fajardo,
Billboard,
13 Oct. 2025
-
For Kayla, what began as a small favor has spiraled into a conflict that questions both friendship and personal boundaries.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Disputes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disputes. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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